How did the renaissance in northern Europe differ from that of Italy?

- Centered in wealthy commercial cities & city-states like Florence, Venice, Rome.

- Supported & patronized by powerful & wealthy ruling families and individuals-like the Medici in Florence.

- Focus on artistic development-art, architecture, philosophy & literature & a renewed study of classic Greek & Roman culture.

- Emphasis on beauty, secular concerns, naturalism,& exploration in various human endeavors-including art/sculpture.

Northern Renaissance:

- Spread across countries including France, Flanders, Germany, Netherlands.

- Less focused on Italian models; art developed as part of native traditions.

- More emphasis on detailed depictions of nature, intricate detail, use of symbolism & symbolism & moral/religious content in artworks.

- Major centres were Paris the French court, German courts, Dutch towns, Bruges. Ghent.

- Key painters-Jan van Eyck, Pieter Bruegel, Albrecht Durer (not purely Italian style); Albrecht Durer & Erasmus-northern humanistic figures.